Pac-10 Notebook: Media pick USC first

QB experience doesn't quite carry the weight it has in previous polls

By TED MILLER, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Published 10:00 pm, Wednesday, July 30, 2003

LOS ANGELES -- Pac-10 media are convinced: USC football is back.

USC was tapped first in the annual preseason poll -- three points ahead of No. 2 Arizona State -- a year after the Trojans finished 11-2 and buried Iowa 38-17 in the Orange Bowl behind Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Carson Palmer.

Palmer has gone on to NFL riches, but that didn't seem to concern reporters, who typically give experience at quarterback, which Arizona State and No. 3 Washington have, priority in their considerations.

USC hadn't topped the preseason poll since 1996, but the Trojans were picked first every year from 1965 to 1982, winning 10 conference titles in that span.

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USC last won the title in 1995, as the media correctly predicted.

Two other teams received first-place votes: Washington got four and No. 4 Oregon State earned two.

Oregon was No. 5 in the poll, one point ahead of UCLA. Washington State was seventh, followed by California and Stanford and Arizona.

Oregon State received the widest range of votes. The Beavers were rated as high as first and as low as ninth.

Six different teams have topped the poll the past six years.

NEU TO GILBY: There was no gloating from other coaches about Rick Neuheisel's belabored termination, even from those with whom the former Huskies coach didn't see eye-to-eye.

Oregon's Mike Bellotti previously wrote a letter voicing strong support for Neuheisel, despite their much-discussed rivalry. He called the firing for participating in a betting pool on the NCAA basketball tournament unfair, particularly because it was essentially sanctioned by the UW's compliance department.

"It's difficult to think that's justification for losing your job -- and losing your job with no severance pay whatsoever," Bellotti said. "Rick and I are different, but that doesn't mean I don't respect him as a coach."

Bellotti also said he respects Neuheisel's replacement, former offensive coordinator Keith Gilbertson.

"He's a solid coach and down to earth; I think he'll do a fine job," Bellotti said.

"(Gilbertson) is a great guy. I'm happy for him, but I am sorry for Rick." Doba said.

First-year UCLA coach Karl Dorrell played with Neuheisel at UCLA and coached under him at Colorado and Washington. Dorrell, who talked to Neuheisel just a few days ago, was the Huskies offensive coordinator when Gilbertson was the offensive line coach.

"He'll do great," Dorrell said of Gilbertson. "That whole Washington situation is a tough issue. I'm fond obviously of the person who was relieved of his duties, and I'm fond of the person who got the opportunity to lead that program."

Not everyone, however, has been following the story closely.

"I didn't even know Neuheisel got fired," said Richard Seigler, Oregon State's talented and talkative linebacker. "I just found out yesterday when Cody Pickett told me. I heard he was in trouble and going through some things, but I didn't know he got fired."

UNITE OR ELSE: Gilbertson said he expects the Huskies staff to remain tight, despite its loyalty to Neuheisel.

Each staff member signed a one-year contract, and Gilbertson said they should leave if they are unhappy with the current arrangement.

"You don't have to stay -- there's a whole bunch of guys who'd like to be coaches at Washington," Gilbertson said. "I think those guys are comfortable with me and like the kids. But no one is forcing anyone to stay."

KEGEL READY: WSU quarterback Matt Kegel, who has the unenviable task of replacing Cougars legend Jason Gesser, is pretty tired of hearing about his poor performance in the Apple Cup.

Kegel came on in relief of Gesser and couldn't move the Cougars offense. He threw an interception, and his controversial throw/lateral ended the game in the Huskies' favor.

"I'm sick of the question, quite frankly," he said. "I don't even see how they can dwell on one darn five minutes of a career so much. It's like the highlight of my career is a darn lateral."

Kegel looked good during spring practices, and his teammates voted him offensive captain.

TIE THE ROSES: The Rose Bowl tie-breaking procedure has been changed. Non-conference record has been dropped in favor of comparing each tied team's record against the team occupying the next highest position in the standings, and continuing the process until the tie is broken. If the tie isn't broken, then final BCS standing will determine the Rose Bowl representative.

QUICKLY: Gilbertson said he hasn't talked to offensive guard Aaron Butler, an 11-game starter last year, since spring practices, and therefore he is no longer on the team ... Pac-10 commissioner Tom Hansen said conference athletic directors continue to have no interest in expansion. ... ASU has 17 returning starters, most in the conference; California has the fewest with eight. ... Gilbertson said he may reconstruct a practice tower -- a la Don James -- to get an aerial view of the action.